Barcelona’s 21-year-old youngster seizes opportunity to impress Xavi against Arsenal

Barcelona winger Ez Abde is on a mission to get a breakthrough into the starting lineup for next season.

The 21-year-old, who spent the previous season on loan at Osasuna to get regular minutes, now has enough fuel in his tank to fight for a place and his recent performance against Arsenal is a step in the right direction for the youngster.

Now, Barcelona did lose 3-5, but on a personal level, Abde had a great outing and all these minutes with the senior team, even if it is in the pre-season friendlies, will only work as a positive catalyst for the 21-year-old.

Abde impressed in the opening half vs Arsenal

Abde was taken off at half-time in place of Ansu Fati, but one cannot take away the kind of performance he put in the opening period.

In fact, Robert Lewandowski’s opening goal in the seventh minute was created by the 21-year-old winger, even though he did not directly assist the goal.

The winger recovered the ball in his own half and went on a powerful run through the Arsenal defence to reach the left corner of the Gunners’ area before centering the ball for Raphinha, whose shot was saved before Lewandowski buried the rebound.

Throughout his time on the pitch, Abde exploited Arsenal right-back Ben White with his pace and direct running.

And it is safe to say that Abde was Barcelona’s best player in the opening half.

What next for the winger?

As far as Xavi is concerned, the reason why he took the winger on the tour was to see how he performs as he sees great potential in him. and wants him to stay.

The manager believes that the Moroccan international offers something different than the other forwards in the squad, thanks to his pace, dribbling ability, and directness.

Now, there are important offers on the table for Abde, but the club’s idea is to get him settled in the first team, as explained by Joan Laporta in a recent interview.

“The idea is for him to be in the first team. Xavi has told us that he wants him and I am very happy. First for him, because he is a cheeky player and when he was with us he did very well. The stage in Osasuna has gone very well for him in his training, he is young,” said the president.